Vetting a Formula S

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Wilkiethegrid

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I have an opportunity to buy a 68 Formula S fastback 340.
My question is : How do I verify the car as a factory built Formula S?
The one in question has optioned for Auto transmission and center console shift.
Thats it...
Why would someone order a Formula S Auto Trans and not order Power brakes, Power steering with it? Additionally came ordered with steel wheels and poverty hub Caps.
Is there a VIN decode or Fender Tag decode source which would help?
Thanks,
 
They mightta raced it. Who in their right mind would want all that additional bullcrap on it to weight it down if that's what they did? I don't know how to verify it, but these fellers will be along to tell you how.
 
The VIN will begin with BH29P8B, and on the data plate there should be a 7 below the capital F in the second row from the top.
 
For 68, any "P" code(5th digit on vin) is a Formula S. All 340 68 cudas were an S. Obviously the 5th digit being H(383) is a S as well.
S'cuder abv nailed it. Post pics.
My 69 S ragtop was 4spd, std brakes, std str, no tach and 120 speedo. Drum brakes all around. Plain Jane lol
 
S'cuder said:
The VIN will begin with BH29P8B, and on the data plate there should be a 7 below the capital F in the second row from the top.
Click to expand...
Perfect! Check and Check. That's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much!
Allot of these cars are modified and I didn't want some clone.
I like originality.
 
4spdragtop said:
For 68, any "P" code(5th digit on vin) is a Formula S. All 340 68 cudas were an S. Obviously the 5th digit being H(383) is a S as well.
S'cuder abv nailed it. Post pics.
My 69 S ragtop was 4spd, std brakes, std str, no tach and 120 speedo. Drum brakes all around. Plain Jane lol
Click to expand...
Yes thank you, I would expect bare bones with a 4 speed. Sounds like a special car.
 
RustyRatRod said:
They mightta raced it. Who in their right mind would want all that additional bullcrap on it to weight it down if that's what they did? I don't know how to verify it, but these fellers will be along to tell you how.
Click to expand...
That was my first thought. Trying to do Due Dilligence
(he He, I said do doo)
 
Back then they were gonna be raced and wanted to save money. Also, they were young so the arm strong steering wasn’t an issue. As far as the wheels most were gonna put Cragars or slots on. I don’t think rally’s were available til 70. So it would have been wheel covers. Why spend the money? Can’t wait to see pics. Good luck
 
you'll obviously want the usual matchy-matchy items: vin matches the fender tag matches the stamps on the body matches the stamps on the block matches the transmission.

if you have any other documentation that backs it up that's even better.

a lot can happen in 56 years...
 
junkyardhero said:
you'll obviously want the usual matchy-matchy items: vin matches the fender tag matches the stamps on the body matches the stamps on the block matches the transmission.

if you have any other documentation that backs it up that's even better.

a lot can happen in 56 years...
Click to expand...

1000001764.jpg
 
An attempt at decoding the tag. No guarantees it's right, but it's close. And I didn't have the last code.

@Cuda Al is good at this, maybe he can weigh in.

B - Barracuda Model Line
H - High Price Class
29 - 2 door sports hardtop (fastback Barracuda)
52 - 340 4bbl HP

5 - 3-speed automatic
38 - E70x14 redlines steel belted
C18 - December 18, 1967 scheduled production build date
726523 - Shipping Order number

2 - 5 Drip rail mouldings
3 - 0 Belt moulding on door and quarter panel
7 - 8 Wheel lip mouldings

A - 4 3.23 ratio
X - no code indicates open rear end

T - D (Deluxe, Has 68 Barracuda Interior Décor Group)
R - 6 vinyl bucket seats
M - B light blue interior color

P - U roof color Frost Blue Poly
N - U body color Frost Blue Poly
T - monotone paint

U - U Interior Upper Door Color Frost Blue Poly
B
S - H red horizontal accent stripe (painted pin stripe)

F - 7 Formula S Package
R - 1 AM radio

a - 6 Console
b - 4 Bucket seats

h - 7 Hood mounted turn signal indicators
k - 7 Passenger outside manual mirror
m - 6 Driver's outside remote operated mirror
t - 6 I don't know, sorry!
 
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For a 1968:

-Fender tag has SO#
-Body is stamped with SO# on trunk lip and radiator support
-Vin# on dash matches build sheet
-VIN# shows motor type and model
-buildsheet has SO# and VIN# and is the only true connection between the two.
-motor has vin# stamped at top of rear of motor near bellhousing
-trans has VIN# stamped
 
Wilkiethegrid said:
That was my first thought. Trying to do Due Dilligence
(he He, I said do doo)
Click to expand...

You should know much more about this before you even consider a car like this.

You’ve got a lot of learning and knowledge to gain before making a competent purchase.
 
Factory wheels on a formula S were plain looking steel wheels with poverty caps, but the wheels are 5 1/2 inches wide instead of 4 1/2. Rallye wheels didn't appear until 1970.
 
S'cuder said:
An attempt at decoding the tag. No guarantees it's right, but it's close. And I didn't have the last code.

@Cuda Al is good at this, maybe he can weigh in.

B - Barracuda Model Line
H - High Price Class
29 - 2 door sports hardtop (fastback Barracuda)
52 - 340 4bbl HP

5 - 3-speed automatic
38 - E70x14 redlines steel belted
C18 - December 18, 1967 scheduled production build date
726523 - Shipping Order number

2 - 5 Drip rail mouldings
3 - 0 Belt moulding on door and quarter panel
7 - 8 Wheel lip mouldings

A - 4 3.23 ratio
X - no code indicates open rear end

T - D (Deluxe, Has 68 Barracuda Interior Décor Group)
R - 6 vinyl bucket seats
M - B black interior color

P - U roof color Frost Blue Poly
N - U body color Frost Blue Poly
T - monotone paint

U - U Interior Upper Door Color Frost Blue Poly
B
S - H red horizontal accent stripe (painted pin stripe)

F - 7 Formula S Package
R - 1 AM radio

a - 6 Console
b - 4 Bucket seats

h - 7 Hood mounted turn signal indicators
k - 7 Passenger outside manual mirror
m - 6 Driver's outside remote operated mirror
t - 6 I don't know, sorry!
Click to expand...
The t-6 is Built for Canadian Order


Alan
 
Wilkiethegrid said:
I have an opportunity to buy a 68 Formula S fastback 340.
My question is : How do I verify the car as a factory built Formula S?
The one in question has optioned for Auto transmission and center console shift.
Thats it...
Why would someone order a Formula S Auto Trans and not order Power brakes, Power steering with it? Additionally came ordered with steel wheels and poverty hub Caps.
Is there a VIN decode or Fender Tag decode source which would help?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
I have a 67 F-7 car with plain hubcaps, air and automatic on the column. It all depends on what the customer ordered or what sales optioned for the lot.
 
Not all '68 Formula S cars came with poverty caps. Not all Formula S cars were ordered new by a customer. Many like my dad's were already on the showroom floor. Not all Formula S cars were purchased to race or torn apart to race. My dad's good friend owned a dealership and called my dad about a Black '68 Formula S Fastback, B5 blue interior with matching door stripe, power steering, no a/c, console auto. that had just arrived. My dad purchased it and never raced it.
This is the style hubcap that came on my dad's car
1733935298125.png
 
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4spdragtop said:
My 69 S ragtop was 4spd, std brakes, std str, no tach and 120 speedo. Drum brakes all around. Plain Jane lol
Click to expand...
Same for my '69 383 4 spd fastback. HD rear springs, front sway bar, 8-3/4.
 
Last edited:

autoxcuda said:
For a 1968:

-Fender tag has SO#
-Body is stamped with SO# on trunk lip and radiator support
-Vin# on dash matches build sheet
-VIN# shows motor type and model
-buildsheet has SO# and VIN# and is the only true connection between the two.
-motor has vin# stamped at top of rear of motor near bellhousing
-trans has VIN# stamped
Click to expand...
Thank you. Great help. The SO# on the build sheet matches the fender tag.
The sequential VIN numbers on the build sheet matched the VIN on the dash. I will confirm the rad support ,trunk lip ,engine and trans when I do a visual inspection.
 
A couple things. The light blue interior is correct to the data tag. I got it wrong with black. The red stripe isn't correct with the tag, it would be a pinstripe along the upper end of the fenders and doors, but who cares!?!
The brake master cylinder is for disc brakes. The tag isn't coded for it, but it's a great upgrade. So is the electronic ignition whose control box can be seen on on the fender apron.
The car is worth more if the engine and transmission VINs match the tag on the dash. Not that you'll more fun with it, but consider it when buying. I'm not sure if the early build car will have it there, but my late build '68 has them where the trans meets the engine block just Left of the center line.

IMG_20240303_221516569~2.jpg
 
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